Matthew Poitras, hailing from Ontario, had his fair share of hockey loyalties growing up.
A Toronto-area native, he naturally found himself leaning towards the Maple Leafs, as many kids from the region do. And if there's one player who wasn't exactly a favorite among Leafs fans, it's Brad Marchand.
When asked about his feelings towards Marchand during his childhood, Poitras doesn't mince words.
"Uh, I never really hated anybody," he admits with a chuckle. "But obviously he's a bit of a pest out there. Growing up in the Toronto area, being somewhat of a Leafs fan ... yeah."
It's a sentiment shared by many in Leafs Nation. Marchand's notorious antics and ability to get under opponents' skin have made him a polarizing figure in the hockey world.
While his skill on the ice is undeniable, his reputation as an agitator precedes him.
Interestingly, fate has a way of bringing together the unlikeliest of pairs. Today, Poitras finds himself donning a Boston jersey alongside none other than Brad Marchand.
Whether this experience will change his perspective on the pesky forward remains to be seen, but it's certainly a twist of fate that even the most ardent Leafs fans couldn't have predicted.